Orthodontic appliance



Oct. 23', 1923.

' A. FERNALD ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 24 1922Oct. 23, 1923. 1,471,785

A. FERNALD ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCE Filed June 24 gnug v To! ikl'naldWitness;-

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Oct. 23, 1923.

A. FERNALD ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCE Filed June 24 1922 3 SheetsSheet 5(1H0: "up

Patented @ct. 23, 1923..

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OBTHC-IDONTIC APFLIANCE.

Application filed June 24, 1922. Serial No. 570,596.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, .fLDELBERT FERNALD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State ofhlassachusetts, have invented certain new and L ful Improvements inOrthodontic Appliances. of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates in general to dentistry, and moreparticularly to certain new and useful improvements in orthodonticappliances.

It is a more or less common practice to use an arch or regulating wirewhich is held in proper position within the mouth 50 as to exertpressure against crooked teeth, for the purpose of gradually pushing theteeth into proper position. One of the practical difiicultiesencountered in using these -egw lating wires or arches has been the lackof.

a thoroughly practical locking device for holding the appliances inposition. The locking" devices heretofore employed have beenconiiplicated, hard to Mliust difficult to remove, and liable to workloose.

W'ith the foregoing in mind, the object of the present invention hasbeen to provide a practical locking device which can be placed inposition and removed therefrom with the greatest facility, which holdsthe arch or regulating wire firmly in position and is out of the of theocclusion of opposing teeth. which can be used in many differentpositions. and which can be used for supporting either lingual or abuccal arch wire.

The invention further contemplates a device of this character which iscomparatively simple and inexpensive in its construetion. which will notirritate the mouth, and which may also perform the function of a clampto draw the band upon which the same is mounted tightly around thetooth.

For the purpose of explaining the invention, one of many possibleembodiments thereof is illustrated and described in detail, although itwill be understood that many modifications be made in the details ofconstruction without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Reference is to be had'to the following description and accompanyingdrawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the manner of using thelocking device for supporting a lingual arch wire.

Figure 2 is a similar view, illustrating in a fragmentary way the mannerof using the device to support a buce'al arch wire.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view of the lock device, with the partsin an assembled position, as shown in Fig. 1.

Figure l is a sectional View through the device with the parts in anassembled position.

, Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view on the line 55 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a detail view showing the coinplemental parts of the lockingdevice in a separated position.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing the manner of securing abuccal arch wire to the hollow bolt.

Figure 8 is a detail view showing an arrangement whereby the lockingdevice may also be utilized for contracting the band to clamp it aroundthe tooth.

Figure 9 is a VlGWSIlfil'llSItO Figure 1 of the modification of'myappliance.

Figure 10 is a perspective view enlarged of the parts of the applianceat one side.

Figure 11 is a similar view of the parts at the other side.

Figure 12 is a frgmentary sectional view through the parts shown inFigure 10 in assembled position.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional View parts of Figure 11.

Throughout the following detailed description and on all of the figuresof the drawings corresponding parts are designated by like referencecharacters.

The locking device is adapted to be used for supporting either a lingualarch wire or a bueeal arch wire, and the arrangement for supporting alingual wire is illustrated by Figure 1, while the arrangement forsupporting a buccal wire is illustrated by Figure 2. In Figure 1 thenumerals 1 desig hate the usual bands which are applied tothe rear teethat each side of the mouth, said bands being provided upon their innerfaces with the locking devices A which engage the regulating wire 2.This wire extends around the interior of the teeth and is suitably bentor shaped so as to teeth, and tend to push the same into properposition. In Figure 2 the locking device A is secured to the outer faceot a band 1 and engages the end of a regulating wire 2.

which extends around the exterior of the teeth, being positioned betweenthe lips and the teeth.

The locking device has a special construction and includes an elongatedshell 3 having an interior threaded cylindrical portion 3 at one endthereof, in combination with a removable locking bolt which has threadsl at one end thereol to engage the cylindrical portion 3 of theelongated shell, and is provided at the opposite end thereof with a head5 and a sleeve or Flange 6 which projects from the head in a spacedrelation to the body portion of the bolt, and is drawn into aninterlocking engagement with the end. of the shell 3 when the bolt isscrewed into position. The elongated shell 3 is sub stanti allyseinicylindrical in shape throughout the greater portion or its lengthand is of the proper size to receive the bolt l. When the threaded end4? of the bolt is unscrewed from the cylindrical end 3 ot the shell, thesleeve or flange 6 is disengaged trom the opposite end of the shell andthe bolt can be moved laterally away from the shell, thereby enablingthe parts to be quickly detached. The polygonal formation and provides ameans for engaging the bolt member rotate the same when it is screwedinto or out of position. The sleeve 6 is constructed to obtain a tightfrictional engagement with the end of the shell 8 and, if desired. anumber of longitudinal slits 7 may be formed in the sleeve and portionsthereof bent inward to a slight extent, so that there will be a firmfriction lock and the bolt will not be liable to work loose. Thecylindrical portion 3 of the shell is c mpai ively short so that thethreaded end of the bolt i can be readily screwed into the same orunscrewed therefrom, and the sleeve 6 is simultaneously brought intoengagement with the elongated shell 3 or disengaged therefrom. It willbe obvious that the construction is such as to admit of the bolt beingeasily and quickly applied to the shell and interlocked therewith ordisengaged from the shell, as be desired.

The bolt 4-, as is indicated quite clearly by Figure i of the drawings.has a hollow formation and the end oi the lingual regulating wire 2extends into the same. These wires have the end portions thereofthreaded, as indicated at 1 and small nuts 8 are fitted thereon. Thesenuts abut against the heads 5 of the bolts el, and can be properlyadjusted upon the wire to hold the regulating wire in proper position.When the locking device is utilized tor supporting a lingual head 5 hasa.

regulating wire an intermediate portion of the back of the shell 3 issoldered or otherwise rigidly secured, as indicated at 9 to the band 1,the said band surrounding and being anchored to the tooth in the usualmanner. W hen the locking device is utilized for the support of a bucealregulating wire, indicated by Figure 2, it is soldered or secured atpoints toward opposite ends thereof, as indicated at 10, to the band 1on opposite sides of overlapping end portions 1 thereof. The buccal archor regulating wire 2 extends through the tubular bolt 1, and has thesmall nut 8 applied to the end thereof which projects beyond the bolt.This enables the regulating wire to be placed under the proper tensionand caused to exert the desired and necessary pressure upon those of theteeth which are crooked and which it is desired to push back intoposition.

To remove the appliance as constructed for the exterior application andshown particularly in vFigures 2 and 7, it is necessary only toreversely rotate the bolt 4 until. its threaded end is releasedwhereupon the wires may be pulled torwardly and displaced from themouth.

A comparison o't Figure 7 with that of the correspi'inding Figure 4'which latter shows the form of the interior or lingual construction,will disclose a slight modification in th construction of the bolt 4. Inother words, the bolt 1n Figure 4 has an enlarged bore extending themajor portion of its length leaving a closure at the extremity,substantially speaking. This metal portion, however, is drilled throughso that there is a relatively small bore 49 at this end. i utilize thisform of construction so that in the event the extremity 1 5 theregulating wire should break off, due to pressure against the regulatingwire by food in the act of chewing or t'or some other reason, thisbroken end will be retained within the bolt although readily displacedtherefrom after the appliance has been removed by pass ing a pointedinstrument through the passage el referred to. The swallowing of thebroken part by the patient is thus guarded against.

7 Vith this lock the devices are held firmly in place and kept out oithe way of the occlusion or opposing teeth, and the device an beattached to the band in any desired position. It the anchor tooth orteeth are in an abnormal position the lock can be attached to the bandat the desired angle and still be perfectly ellicient. With thislock onecan attach any kind of appliance for treating any type of deformity ofthe teeth, as the ends of the appliance when carried back into thehollow boltof the lock are held in a proper position and can be re movedat will for making any necessaryattachinents or adjustments. While theap- Kit llu

pliance enables the regulating wires to be readily unlocited and removedfor the purpose of adjusting or bending them in the proper manner to actupon the crooked teeth, or for the purpose of cleaning or filling theteeth, the patient himself cannot remove the appliance.

At times when the fitting of the band 1" upon the anchoring tooth isinsufficient because of the band being too large, I am able to readiconvert the band into a clamp by cutting through the shell 3 midway ofits length and'through the hand between the two points of solderingattachment of the sheet to the band, as shown in Figure 8 of thedrawing. The split band is placedin position about the tooth and cementinserted between the band and tooth whereupon the bolt is slipped intoplace in the shell and drawn tightly into proper position firmly.securing the device in its place. The cement setting will ,hold the bandin position upon the tooth at any time the regulating wire is displacedas may be required.

By virtue of the construction of this appliance in the separable partsas above described and the lateral open formation of t r -ing sleeves,it is a very easy matto slip the regulating section of the apnce intoposition without this part comin contact with the teeth until thepermanent justment is made. This has been i e great defect in theseappliances of a imilar character wherein the attachment is soconstructed that the regulating wire must he slid into position by alongitudinal mover t inwardly of the mouth, so to speak.

5., of course, has reference to the application of an appliance of thischaracter to the interior rather than to the exterior of the I havedepicted a simmg member. This end of the wire is slipped into the opensided sleeve 3 fixed to the inert c of the anchoring band 1, as in the ireviously described form, whereupon the nut is screwed toward the end ofthe wire until the :rtension engages over the end of the sleeve, asshown in Figure 12. Continuing the movement of the nut against the endof the sleeve causes the wire to be moved forwardly in the mouth and anydegree of pressure can be produced against the teeth band 13.

form of my lingual lock, particularly a at the desired points inconjunction Withthe attachments which maybe connected with the teeth andto the wire.

The opposite end of the wire in this form is merely slipped into a plainsleeve or socket 12 secured to the second anchoring By screwing the nutforward a very short distance, the regulating wire at the lock end maybe easily slipped from sleeve and the wire them completely moved fromthe month.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is: i

1. In. a lock device for orthodontic dental work, the combination with aregulating wire, of a base member adapted to be applied to a toothencircling band and open at one side to receive the regulating wire by asidewise movement thereof, and an adjustable member mounted upon thewire and carrying means to effect interlocking engagement with a sidewall at one end of the base member during the adjusting move ment alongthe regulating wire whereby to prevent accidental movement of theadjustable member or displacement of the regulat ing wire from the basemember.

.2. In a lock device for orthodontic dental work, the combination with aregulating wire, of a tubular sleeve adapted to be applied to the toothencircling band and open the major portion of its length at one side toreceive. the regulating wire by sidewise n movement thereor, and amember ad uStably mounted on the regulating wire and having means tofrictionally engage with a side wall of the sleeve during its adj ustinmovement to prevent movement of the ad ustable member as the operatingpressure is relieved in the correction of the deformation of the teeth.

3. A lock device for orthodontic dental work, inchiding a shell adaptedto be fixedly.

work, including a'shell adapted Ito be secured to a tooth encirclingband and provided at one end thereof with a compare; tively shortthreaded bore, a. regulating wire, an adjustable member thereon having athreaded portion adapted to engage the bore and also provided with aflange adapted to interlock with the opposite end of the shell when the,member is screwed into position.

5. A look device for orthodontic dental work, including a shell adaptedto be apthe e the bore r ama ea plied to a tooth encircling band andhaving a comparatively short threaded bore, a regulating wire, and aregulating wire engaging member having a threaded portion adapted toengage the bore and also provided with an annular flange disposedparallel to and trictionally engaging an end portion of the shell as themember is screwed into position.

6. A look device for orthodontic dental work including an elongatedsubstantially seinicylindrical shell having a relatively shortcylindrical portion at one end thereof, said shell being adapted to besecured to a tooth encircling band and to receive by sidewise movement aregulating wire, and a rotatable regulating wire engaging mem berprovided at one end with means for adjustably engaging the cylindricalportion 01" the shell and at the opposite end with a flange adapted tointerlock with the end of the shell upon rotation and movement of saidmember longitudinally of the wire.

7. A lock device for orthodontic dental work, including a substantiallysemicylindrical shell adapted to be secured to a tooth encircling bandand provided at one end thereof with an internally threaded cylindricalportion, a regulating wire, a regulating wire engaging member adapted toloosely receive the wire and having one end thereof threaded forengagement with the interior of the cylindrical portion of the shell andits opposite end provided with an annular flange adapted to interlockwith the opposite end portion of the shell upon rotation of the engagingmember, and means coacting with the regulating wire and engageable withsaid wire engaging member for adjusting the wire relative to the shell.

8. A lock device for orthodontic dental work, including a shell adaptedto be applied to a tooth encircling band and having a threaded portionat one end, a regulating wire a tubular engaging bolt having a threadedengagement with said portion and provided with a flange in interlockingengagement with the opposite end or" the shell, and retaining means uponthe wire to engage said bolt whereby said bolt is held against movementin either direction and can be used to support either a lingual wire ora buccal wire.

9. A look device for orthodontic dental work, including a shell adaptedto be secured to a tooth encircling band and having a threaded portion,a tubular bolt adapted to receive a regulating wire and having one endin threaded engagement with the shell and the other end thereof providedwith frictional means for interlocking engagement with the shell as thebolt is screwed in position, whereby the bolt is held against movementin either direction, and an adjusting member applied to the regulatingwire for engagement with the bolt to hold the regulating wire inposition. i

10. A lock device for orthodontic dental work, including a shell havinga side opening and threaded portion at one end, a tubular bolt having athreaded engagement with said portion of the shell and provided with aflange adapted to interlock with the other end of the shell when thebolt is screwed into position, a threaded regulating wire extendingthrough the tubular bolt, and a nut adjustable upon the threadedregulating wire torengaging the bolt to hold the wire in position.

11. A dental appliance of the class described comprising an anchoringband, a sleeve secured thereto and open at one side, apredetermined'portion of the length of the sleeve, a regulating wirethreaded at one end and receivable by said sleeve through the sideopening for positioning the wire in cooperative relation to the teeth,and a lock nut having connection with the threaded portion of the wireand provided with means for interlocking with the sleeve andsimultaneously producing pressure through the wire upon the teeth.

12. A dental appliance of the class described comprising a pair ofanchoring bands arranged at opposite sides of the mouth, a regulatingwire having removable connection with the band at one side of the mouthand locking connection with the band at the other side of the mouth. thelast named band being provided with a wire receiving sleeye, and a locknut mounted on said wire to engage and interlock with the sleeve to holdthe wire therein, said nut being operable to shift the wire forproducing pressure upon the teeth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ADELBERT FERNALD.

